Phony US Proposed Military Partnership with Russia in Syria

by Stephen Lendman

Imperial powers don't negotiate. They demand. Deals struck aren't worth the paper they're written on - agreed on then unilaterally breached.

Obama's proposed military partnership with Russia in Syria is head-fake deception - unacceptable from what little is known. The devil is in the details - one-sidedly favoring US interests based on how it always operates.

It calls for both countries establishing a Joint Implementation Group for intelligence exchanges and operational information on ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra locations - areas where they're operating, not precise positions for targeting - and ignoring other terrorist groups. 

No-bombing zones would be declared - safe haven platforms for launching attacks, killing civilians, committing atrocities, then returning to where they're free from retaliation.

In return, Washington wants Moscow pressuring Syria to halt air strikes on terrorists mischaracterized as moderates, limiting its aerial operations to humanitarian and other non-combat missions.

Details of Obama's proposal weren't revealed. Nor did Washington designate groups it considers terrorists, according to Russian General Staff head Valery Gerasimov.

Cessation of hostilities let them regroup, rearm and add new recruits to their ranks. Things "cannot continue this way indefinitely," Gerasimov stressed, adding Russia's Defense Ministry supplied Washington with its terrorist targets through September - likely areas, not precise positions.

According to State Department spokesman admiral John Kirby, Kerry is "extremely frustrated. And that's one of the reasons why we're going to Moscow" - to try convincing Kremlin officials to bow to Washington's will at the expense of combating terrorism, along with protecting Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Do Kerry and other US officials believe Russia will agree to what harms its interests and Syria's - sacrificing gains made since last September, steps toward eventual conflict resolution and liberation hopefully.

Moscow's unofficial answer perhaps came Tuesday - six long-range Tu-22M3 bombers striking ISIS positions hard, a prelude of perhaps more of the same to come.

Its Kosnitsov aircraft carrier is en route to the Mediterranean close to Syria's border on arrival - to begin aerial strikes in October, adding strength to ongoing operations.

Russia is committed to defeat the scourge of terrorism, as well as support Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to Putin. 

Addressing Security Council members on Tuesday, UN envoy Vitaly Churkin called on Washington to cease "propaganda cliches," negotiate in good faith and combat terrorist groups with "no delay or indulgences."

Russia will continue aiding its Syrian ally, he stressed. Serious issues remain unresolved - including Western and regional supported terrorists permitted to move freely cross-border into Syria, weapons, munitions and other material support supplied them.

As long as Washington talks peace while waging war, resolution remains unattainable.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. 

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. 

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